 Chris Goh's "On the Net"
My Sony digital FD95 camera has been superseded after capturing some of my most memorable moments - both in Australia and overseas.
But I was wondering whether, in 50 years time, my grandchildren will be able to view the photos. The rapid pace of change in the digital world has left many struggling to keep up - or be 'out of date'. But the question I've posed before is whether, unlike the Rosetta stone, we'll be able to unlock the information.
In 2051, my computer will be redundant (and Microsoft will hopefully have their lawsuit finalised). But will the software be able to read my photos? Or will it be like trying to put a record in a CD player?
Digital innovation may come at an historical cost. Amidst a lack of reflection, I'm conscious that I too have become part of an 'all that matters is now' society. Living for the moment seemed easy in a consumer cornucopia which offered few worries (until recently).
Libraries around the globe face the serious dilemma in archiving online material - especially the ability to display it in a century's time.
The irony is inescapable, since digitising is sold with a perfection in quality for all to enjoy. The future is less certain.
I often meet people who prefer their old Kingswood, an old SLR camera, or to read a newspaper in their hands rather than on screen. The times may be a'changing, but we still have a long way to go.
Hotnews
The Australian Defence Department has confirmed that it switched off part of its network to combat the much-feared trojan worm, Nimda on their system. It has also been confirmed, reluctantly, that some information was deleted, however what was deleted or how sensitive it was has not been revealed.
According to a new survey, 75% of Australian Internet users experience a time-out from their Internet Service Provider. The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman will release more definitive results, with a breakdown on the type and number of complaints later this month.
Having a computer bug can be a lot more literal than you think. The term debugging a computer was coined when a moth was found in a Mark II Aiken Relay Calculator in 1947. Today domestic encounters with insects are on the increase - as anyone who's ever watched a cockroach crawl out of their computer knows. In the US, the dreaded fire ant causes short circuits after it's attracted to the magnetic waves. Panasonic is about to release a new plastic film that coats electronic circuit boards with a pyrethroid insecticide.
Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic to treat Anthrax has been selling like hotcakes on the Web. The pharmaceutical giant Bayer is having records sales since the discovery of Anthrax in Florida. The purchases are fuelled by Web notices saying that there a limited stocks, and households are attempting to secure their lot in the event there wouldn't be any left. The only shortage that's likely to occur is from behaviour like this.
The latest surprising corporate collapse is Polaroid, the instant camera creators, who have filed for bankruptcy. Polaroid's debt has been growing since 1988 when it tried to deflect a takeover. Once the epitome of American know how and innovation, it's a sad end. Among Polaroid's strategic blunders, it believed that the introduction of the digital camera age would not affect camera and film sales so drastically. Of course Wang and Olivetti believed something similar.
Equal opportunity is finally entering the Hackers' world. The latest DefCon in the USA, featured its first lady speaker - an indication of the growing trend that women can 'hack it' just as well as men. DefCon also had an increase of woman participants. Interestingly, it seems women use their hacking prowess to defend and secure sites rather than cause malicious damage.
Hotsites
www.afroam.org/history/history.html
Anyone interested in civil rights, or understanding what it's like to be a victim of racism, based on the colour of your skin should visit this museum on Black History. Interestingly, the discrimination comes from the nation which prides itself on being the world leader in democracy and equality.
www.rsts.net/home/index.htm
I've always been curious about home schooling, especially since it continues to grow strongly, both in Australia and around the world. While the debate rages over public and private schools, some parents decide that the best solution is to take on this challenging task themselves. There is growing literature and support for parents, even from schools. It's almost like a distance ed program. This is a good site with links and references to a whole heap of resources.
www.ivillage.com/pets/petnames/find/
Are you struggling to find that exquisite European name for your pet. Maybe you've used Rover, Brandy and Bluey too often. This site offers some helpful hints, as well as pet advice.
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